Drawer construction and divider therefor



June 17, 1969 K. D. SCHREYER DRAWER CONSTRUCTION AND DIVIDER THEREFOR Sheet Filed May '9. 1966 INVENTOR. KENNETH O. SCHREYER ATTYS.

June 17, 1969 K. D. S CHREYER 3,450,296

DRAWER CONSTRUCTION AND DIVIDER THEREFOR Filed May 9, 1966 Sheet 2 of 4 ///0 5/ FIG. 3

June 17, 1969 K. D. SCHREYER 3,450,296

DRAWER CONSTRUCTION AND DIVIDER THEREFOR Filed May 9, 1966 Sheet 3 of 4 /00\ 2 FIG 4 mo /02 June 17, 1969 K. D. SCHREYER 3,450,296

DRAWER CONSTRUCTION AND DIVIDER THEREFOR Filed May 9. 1966 Sheet 4 0f 4 United States Patent 3,450,296 DRAWER CONSTRUCTION AND DIVIDER THEREFOR Kenneth D. Schreyer, Doylestown, Pa., assignor to Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 548,692 Int. Cl. B6511 1/24, 1/36, 57/00 (1.5. Cl. 220-221 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE the associated drawer, each of the mounting members including a generally rectangular plastic body having a longitudinally extending groove in one side thereof arranged vertically in use for grippingly receiving the adjacent end of the divider therein, each body having at least one finger extending laterally outwardly therefrom and into at least one of the slots in the adjacent side wall so as to adjustably position the divider within the associated drawer.

The present invention relates to drawer constructions, and particularly to an improved divider for drawers and an improved structure for mounting the divider within the associated drawer.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved drawer and divider construction of the type set forth wherein the drawer includes a bottom wall and a pair of longitudinal inner side walls extending upwardly from the side edges of the bottom wall and a front wall closing the area between the bottom wall and the inner side walls at the front end thereof and a rear wall closing the area between the bottom wall and the inner side walls at the rear end thereof, each of the inner side walls having a longitudinally extending row of slots therein with each slot in each row being in horizontal and lateral alignment with a slot in the other row, a vertically arranged divider mounted in the drawer and disposed generally laterally thereof and having portions disposed between the inner side walls, and a pair of mounting members disposed on the opposite ends of the divider for mounting the divider at any one of a plurality of adjusted positions with respect to the inner side walls, each of the mounting members including a body having first structure releasably holding the adjacent end of the divider and second structure engaging in at least one of the slots to position the associated end of the divider with respect to the adjacent inner side wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drawer and divider construction of the type set forth wherein each of the mounting members includes a generally rectangular body disposed vertically in the drawer and having a groove in one side thereof grippingly receiving the adjacent end of the divider therein and a finger on the other side thereof extending through one of the slots in the inner drawer side walls and into a pocket formed by an outer side wall mounted on the outer surface of the inner side wall.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved divider and connecting members therefor useful in the drawer and divider construction of the type set forth.

A further object of the invention is to provide a divider for use in the drawer and divider construction of the type set forth wherein the divider is a generally rectangular piece of sheet metal having generally longitudinally extending upper and lower edges and a pair of end edges, a bulb fold on the upper and lower edges and extending the length thereof, and at least one longitudinally extending reinforcing rib on the divider extending the length thereof between the end edges thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mounting member for mounting a divider in a drawer construction of the type set forth, wherein the mounting member comprises a body of synthetic organic plastic resin rectangular in shape and arranged generally vertically in use within the associated drawer, the body having a longitudinally extending groove on one side thereof arranged vertically in use and grippingly receiving the adjacent end of the associated divider therein, and a finger on the other side of the body extending outwardly therefrom for engagement in one of the slots in the adjacent inner side wall to mount the associated divider in a predetermined construction of the mounting member, it is formed of high impact polystyrene resin and has a pair of fingers longitudinally spaced apart and received in an associated pair of slots in a drawer side wall.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts, whereby the aboveoutlined and additional features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a single pedestal desk having drawers therein provided with divider structures made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the desk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the pedestal forming a part of a desk of FIGS. 1 and 2 and further illustrating the two half high drawers and two box drawers mounted therein, portions of the front of one of the half high drawers and one of the box drawers being broken away to illustrate additional features of the drawer construction and the divider construction mounted therein;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section with certain portions broken away through one of the half high drawers as seen along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section with certain portions broken away through one of the box drawers as seen along the line 66 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof, there is illustrated a single pedestal desk 50 in which the divider structure of the present invention is highly useful, the desk 50 including a desk top 51 on the lefthand end of which is mounted an end panel 52 and on the righthand end of which is mounted a pedestal 69, the end panel 52 and the pedestal 60' being joined by a back panel 53 disposed toward the rear of the desk top 51. Also mounted on the desk top 51 is a center drawer 54 and a lock 55 which operates locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the center drawer 54 in the view in vertical section along 3 closed position thereof and to lock the several drawers in the pedestal 60 in the closed positions thereof. In order to support the desk 50 upon an underlying support surface, a first pair of legs 56 is provided beneath the end panel 52 and a second pair of legs 57 is disposed beneath the pedestal 60.

The pedestal 60 comprises a 'body 61 including a pair of side walls 62 and a bottom wall 63 which cooperate to provide a substantially rectangular drawer-receiving opening within which are disposed four drawers. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pedestal 60 has mounted therein in the upper one-third thereof a top shelf 70 with a pull 71 and a pair of half high drawers 100', and in the bottom two-thirds thereof a pair of box drawers 200, the half high drawers 100 being mounted upon opposed pairs of glides 70 mounted in the pedestal 60 and the box drawers 200 being mounted upon opposed pairs of glides 80 also mounted in the pedestal 60. Further details of the construction of the above described parts of the desk 50 including further details of the construction of the pedestal 60 and of the desk drawer construction are set forth in the copending application of Kenneth D. Schreyer, Ser. No. 503,157, filed Oct. 23, 1965, and entitled Desk Construction, now Patent No. 3,363,955.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 to of the drawings, further details of construction of the half high drawers 100 and of the divider structures used therein will be given, it being understood that both of the half high drawers 100 and the divider structures used therein have the same construction. As illustrated, the half high drawer 100 has a generally rectangular bottom wall 101 formed of sheet metal and having a width slightly less than the width of the drawer-receiving opening in the front of the pedestal 60 and having a length slightly less than the depth of the pedestal 60, whereby readily to fit therein. Integral with the outer longitudinal edges of the bottom wall 101 and extending upwardly therefrom are sheet metal inner side walls 102, the side walls 102 being substantially normal to the bottom wall 101 and extending substantially the length thereof and being disposed parallel to each other. The area bounded by the rear of the bottom wall 101 and the rear of the inner side walls 102 is closed by a rear wall (not shown) and the area bounded by the front of the bottom wall 101 and the front of the inner side walls 102 is closed by a front wall or drawer head 110, the drawer head 110 carrying a pull 111 thereon to facilitate movement of the drawer 100 between the open and closed positions thereof.

There is provided on each of the inner side walls 102 an outer side wall 120, each of the outer side walls 120 being formed of a piece of generally flat sheet metal bent to provide a cross section such as that illustrated in the upper righthand portion of FIG. 3. More specifically, each of the outer side walls 120 includes a bottom attachment flange 121 disposed along the underside of the bottom wall 101 and secured thereto as by welding and extending laterally outwardly therefrom. 0n the outer edge of the attachment flange 121 and extending upwardly therefrom is a first side flange 122 spaced from the lower portion of the adjacent inner side wall 102 and defining therebetween a first pocket 125. There further is provided a lateral extending pair of lower support flanges 123 and an upwardly extending pair of retaining flanges 124 which cooperate with the glide 70 in the opening and closing of the drawer 100. Extending upwardly from the flanges 123 is another attachment portion 126 secured to the outer surface of the adjacent inner side wall 102 as by welding and carrying on the upper edge thereof an outwardly directed support flange 127 that normally rests upon the upper surface of the glide 70, as illustrated. Integral with the support flange 127 is an upstanding flange 128 which extends inwardly and carries another attachment flange 129 thereon, the flange 128 being spaced from the outer surface of the adjacent inner side wall 102 to define a second pocket 130 therebetween. Recapitulating, the outer side wall 120 provides the support flanges 123 and 127 for supporting the drawer upon the associated glides 70, and also provides a pair of longitudinally extending pockets 125 and 130 extending substantially the length of the inner side wall 102 for a purpose which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

There further is provided in each of the side walls 102 a pair of longitudinally extending and vertically spaced apart rows of rectangular slots therein, a first row of slots being arranged along the lower portion of the side wall 102 and just above the bottom wall 101 and communicating through the inner side wall 102 with the pocket formed between the side wall 102 and the flange 122. A second row of rectangular slots 106 is provided in each of the inner side walls 102, the slots 106 being in alignment with an communicating with the pocket formed by the side wall 102 in the flange 128. Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that one of the slots 106 is disposed directly above one of the slots 105, and further referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that each of the slots 106 in one of the inner side walls 102 is in lateral or horizontal alignment with one of the slots 106 in the other side wall 102, it being understood that the slots 105 are also arranged in laterally aligned parts in the opposed inner side walls 102. Recapitulating, two longitudinally extending rows of slots 105 and 106 have been provided in each of the inner side walls 102, individual slots in the two rows being in vertical alignment with each other and individual slots in both rows being in lateral or horizontal alignment with a like slot in the opposed inner side wall 102. Finally, there is an equal distance between adjacent pairs of the slots 105 and between adjacent pairs of the slots 106 in a longitudinal direction along the inner side walls 102.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided in the drawer 100 a divider structure including a divider and a pair of mounting members therefor. The divider 150 is preferably formed from a piece of sheet metal generally rectangular in shape and having the corners thereof rounded, the divider 150 including a body 151 that in use is arranged with the longer dimension thereof disposed transversely of the drawer 100 and with the shorter dimension thereof disposed vertically within the drawer 100. Provided along the upper longitudinally extending edge of the divider body 151 is a first bulb fold 152 extending substantially the entire length thereof, and provided along the lower longitudinally extending edge of the divider body 151 is a second fold 153 extending substantially the entire length thereof. Also provided in the body 151 is a pair of longitudinally extending and vertically spaced apart reinforcing ribs 154, the reinforcing ribs 154 being formed as portions of an arc of a circle and being directed in the same direction as the bulb folds 152-153 and extending the entire length of the divider 150.

Disposed at each end of the divider 150 and forming a part of the divider structure 140 is a mounting member 170, the two mounting members 170 being identical in construction, whereby only one of the mounting members will be described in detail and like reference numerals applied to like parts in both. Preferably, the mounting member 170 is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin, the preferred type of resin being a lubric resin, an example of a highly suitable resin being high impact polystyrene resin. As viewed in front elevation (see FIG. 5), the mounting member 170 comprises a body 171 generally rectangular in shape but having the inner edges thereof rounded as at 172 as can be seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings. There further is provided on the side of the body 171 disposed inwardly with respect to the adjacent inner side wall 102 a vertically extending groove 173, the groove 173 being essentially rectangular in cross section and extending the entire length of the body 171. The width of the groove 173 is slightly less than the distance between the rear surface of the divider body 151 and the forwardmost surface of the reinforcing ribs 154 thereon, whereby the mounting member 170 grippingly receives the adjacent end of the divider 150 within the groove 173 thereof, the lateral walls of the groove 173 being urged outwardly upon insertion of the divider 150' into the groove 173, whereby these lateral walls of the groove 173 grippingly engage the adjacent end of the divider 150.

The outer surface -174 of the mounting member 170 is formed substantially flat and is adapted to be disposed against the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 102. There extends outwardly from the surface 174 a pair of mounting fingers 175 and 176, the mounting finger 175 being disposed at the bottom of the mounting member 170 and adapted to extend through one of the slots 105 and the mounting finger 176 being disposed intermediate the ends of the mounting member 170 and adapted to extend through one of the slots 106 in the adjacent side wall 102. Each of the fingers 175 and 176 is frusto-conical in shape and is rectangular in cross section, the greatest dimensions thereof being less than the dimensions of the slots 105 and 106, whereby the fingers 175 and 176 can be readily inserted thereinto. The length of the fingers 175 and 176 is less than the width of the associated pockets 125 and 130, the outer walls of the pockets 125 and 130 covering and protecting the outer ends of the mounting fingers 175 and 176, respectively.

Recapitulating, the divider structure 140 is formed of a generally rectangular divider 150 and a pair of mounting members 170, each of the mounting members 170 having a longitudinally extending slot 173 therein, the walls of which grippingly engage the adjacent end of the divider 150, thereby to form the completed divider structure 140. Each of the mounting members 170 further has a pair of outwardly extending mounting fingers 175 and 176 thereon which are adapted to be received through aligned pairs of the slots 105 and 106, respectively, in the inner side walls 102, the fingers 175 and 176 extending respectively into the pockets 125 and 130 defined between the inner side walls 102 and the outer side walls 120. When the divider 140 is in place, it divides the interior of the drawer 100 into two compartments, a rear compartment disposed between the rear of the divider 140 and the rear wall of the drawer 100', and a forward compartment provided between the front of the divider 140 and the front wall or drawer head 110 of the drawer 100. It will be appreciated that the divider 140 can be placed in any desired adjusted position along the length of the drawer 100, i.e., in any position corresponding to aligned pairs of the slots 105 and 106 in the side Walls 102. It further will be appreciated that a plurality of the dividers 140 could be provided in one of the drawers 100, whereby to divide the interior of the drawer 100 into a greater number of individual compartments defined between the dividers 140 and the rear wall and the front wall of the drawer 100.

Turning now to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings, further details of construction of the box drawers 200 and of the divider structures 240 mounted therein will be given, it being understood that both of the box drawers 200 and the divider structures 240 mounted therein have the same construction. As illustrated, the box drawer 200 has a generally rectangular bottom wall 201 formed of sheet metal and having a width slightly less than the width of the drawer-receiving opening in the front of the pedestal 60 and having a length slightly less than the depth of the pedestal 60, whereby readily to fit therein. Integral with the outer longitudinal edges of the bottom Wall 201 and extending upwardly therefrom are sheet metal inner side walls 202, the side walls 202 being substantially normal to the bottom wall 201 and extending substantially the length thereof and being disposed parallel to each other. The area bounded by the rear of the bottom wall 201 and the rear of the inner side walls 202 is closed by a rear wall (not shown) and the area bounded by the 6 front of the bottom wall 201 and the front of the inner side walls 202 is closed by a front wall or drawer head 210, the drawer head 210 carrying a pull 211 thereon to facilitate movement of the drawer 200 between the open and closed position thereof.

There is provided on each of the inner side walls 202 an outer side wall 220, each of the outer side walls 220 being formed of a piece of generally flat sheet metal bent to provide a cross section such as that illustrated in the lower righthand corner of FIG. 3. More specifically, each of the outer side walls 220 includes a bottom attachment flange 221 disposed along the underside of the bottom wall 201 and secured thereto as by Welding and extending laterally outwardly therefrom. On the outer edge of the attachment flange 221 and extending upwardly therefrom is an upwardly extending pair of retaining flanges 224 from which extends inwardly a lower support flange 223, the flanges 223 and 224 cooperating with the glides in the opening and closing of the drawer 200. Extending upwardly from the flanges 223 is another attachment portion 222 secured to the outer surface of the adjacent inner side wall 202 as by welding and carrying on the upper edge thereof an outwardly directed support flange 227 that normally rests upon the upper surface of the glides 80, as illustrated. Integral with the support flange 227 is an upstanding flange 228 which extends rearwardly and carries another attachment flange 229 thereon, the flange 228 being spaced from the outer surface of the adjacent inner side wall 202 to define a first pocket 225 therebetween. A second pocket 230 is defined by an outwardly extending flange 231 on the upper edge of the attachment flange 229 carrying on the outer edge thereof an upstanding side flange 232 which in turn carries an inwardly directed flange 233 integral with another attachment flange 234 suitably secured as by welding to the inner side wall 202, the flanges 231 and 232 and 233 defining the pocket 230. There further is provided on the upper edge of the side wall 220 an enlargement 235 having the free end thereof overlapping the upper edge of the inner side wall 202 and suitably secured thereto as by welding. Recapitulating, the outer side wall 220 provides the support flanges 223 and 227 for supporting the drawer 200 Upon the associated glides 80, and also provides a pair of longitudinally extending pockets 225 and 230- extending substantiall the length of the inner side wall 202 for a purpose which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

There further is provided in each of the side walls 202 a pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced apart rows of rectangular slots therein, a first row of slots 205 being arranged toward the lower end of the side wall 202 but spaced above and away from the bottom wall 201 and communicating through the inner side wall 202 with the pocket 225 formed between the side wall 202 and the flange 228 A second row of rectangular slots 206 is provided in each of the inner side walls 202, the slots 206 being in alignment with and communicating with the pocket 230 formed by the side wall 202 and the flange 232. Referring to FIG. 7, it will be best seen that one of the slots 206 is disposed directly above one of the slots 205, and further referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that each of the slots 206 in one of the inner side walls 202 is in lateral or horizontal alignment with one of the slots 206 in the other side wall 202, it being understood that the slots 205 are also arranged in lateral aligned pairs in the opposed inner side walls 202. Recapitulating, two longitudinally extending rows of slots 205 and 206 have been provided in each of the inner side walls 202, individual slots in the two rows being in vertical alignment with each other and individual slots in both rows being in lateral or horizontal alignment with the like slot in the inner side wall 202. Finally, there is an equal distance between adjacent pairs of the slots 205 and between adjacent pairs of the slots 206 in a longitudinal direction along the inner side walls 202.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided in the drawer 200 a divider structure 240 including a divider 250 and a pair of mounting members 270 therefor. The divider 250 is preferably formed from a piece of sheet metal generally rectangular in shape and having the corners thereof rounded, the divider 250 including a body 251 that in use is arranged with the longer dimension thereof disposed transversely of the drawer 200 and with the shorter dimension thereof disposed vertically within the drawer 200. Provided along the upper longitudinally extending edge of the divider body 251 is a first bulb fold 252 extending substantially the entire length thereof, and provided along the lower longitudinally extending edge of the divider body 251 is a second bulb fold 253 extending substantially the entire length thereof. Also provided in the body 251 are four longitudinally extending and vertically spaced apart reinforcing ribs 254, the reinforcing ribs 254 being formed as portions of an arc of a circle and being directed in the same direction as the bulb folds 252-253 and extending the entire length of the divider 250.

Disposed at each end of the divider a part of the divider structure 240 is a mounting member 270, the two mounting members 270 being identical in construction, whereby only one of the mounting members will be described in detail and Ike reference numerals applied to like parts in both. Preferably, the mounting member 270 is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin, the preferred type of resin being a lubric resin, an example of a highly suitable resin being high impact polystyrene resin. As viewed in front elevation (see FIG. 7) the mounting member 270 comprises a body 271 generally rectangular in shape but having the inner edges thereof rounded as at 272 as can be seen in FIG. 6 of the drawings. There further is provided on the side of the body 271 disposed inwardly with respect to the adjacent inner side wall 202 a vertically extending groove 273, the groove 273 being essentially rectangular in cross section and extending the entire length of the body 271. The Width of the groove 273 is slightly less than the distance between the rear surface of the divider body 251 and the forwardmost surface of the reinforcing ribs 254 thereon, whereby the mounting member 270 grippingly receives. the adjacent end of the divider 250 within the groove 273 thereof, the lateral walls of the groove 273 being urged outwardly upon insertion of the diivider 250 into the groove 273, whereby these lateral walls of the groove 273 grippingly engage the adjacent end of the divider 250.

The outer surface 274 of the mounting member 270 is formed substantially fiat and is adapted to be disposed against the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 202. There extends outwardly from the surface 274 a pair of mounting fingers 275 and 276, the mounting finger 275 being disposed toward the lower end of the mounting member 270 and adapted to extend through one of the slots 205 and the mounting finger 276 being disposed toward the upper end of the mounting member 270 and adapted to extend through one of the slots 206 in the adjacent side wall 202. Each of the fingers 275 and 276 is frusto-conical in shape and is rectangular in cross section, the greatest width thereof being slightly less than the width of the associated slots 205 and 206, the vertical extent of the finger 275 being substantially less than that of the associated slot 205 (see FIG. 7), while the finger 276 has a vertical extent only slightly less than that of the associated slot 206, whereby the fingers 275 and 276 can be readily inserted into the associated slots 205 and 206 respectively. The length of the fingers 275 and 276 is less than the width of the associated pockets 225 and 230, the outer walls of the pockets 225 and 230 covering and protecting the outer ends of the mounting fingers 275 and 276, respectively.

Recapitulating, the divider structure 240 is formed of a generally rectangular divider 250 and a pair of mount- 250 and forming ing members 270, each of the mounting members 270 having a longitudinally extending slot 273 therein, 'the walls of which grippingly engage the adjacent end of the divider 250, thereby to form the completed divider structure 240. Each of the mounting members 270 further has a pair of outwardly extending mounting fingers 275 and 276 thereon which are adapted to be received through aligned pairs of the slots 205 and 206, respectively, in the inner side walls 202, the fingers 275 and 276 extending respectively into the pockets 225 and 230 defined between the inner side walls 202 and the outer side walls 220. When the divider 240 is in place, it divides the interior of the drawer 200 into two compartments, a rear compartment disposed between the rear of the divider 240 and the rear wall of the drawer 200, and a forward compartment provided between the front of the divider 240 and the front wall or drawer head 210 of the drawer 200. It will be appreciated that the divider 240 can be placed in any desired adjusted position along the length of the drawer 200, i.e., in any position corresponding to aligned pairs of the slots 205 and 206 in the side walls 202. It further will be appreciated that a plurality of the dividers 240 could be provided in any one of the drawers 200, whereby to divide the interior of the drawer 200 into a greater number of individual compartments defined between the dividers 240 and the rear wall and the front wall of the drawer 200.

Fundamentally, the drawers and 200 and the dividers 150 and 250 are all formed of sheet metal. Furthermore, the sheet metal forming the various parts is of relatively light gauge, as will be appreciated from the following examples of the gauge of the sheet metal utilized to form the various parts thereof. For example, the drawer bodies including the bottom walls 101 and 201 and the inner side walls 102 and 202 are formed of 24 gauge sheet metal; the drawer heads and 210 are formed of two pieces of sheet metal that are respectively 22 gauge and 26 gauge; the outer side walls and 220 are formed of 24 gauge sheet metal; and the dividers and 250 are formed of 22 gauge cold roller sheet metal. In a typical constructional example, the slots 105, 106, 205 and 206 have a vertical extent inch and a width of A; inch; the dividers 150 and 250 for a letter width drawer have a length of 12 inches and for a legal width drawer have a length of 15 inches; the overall height of the divider 150 is 2% inch; the depth of the bulb folds 152 and 153 is inch, and the vertical extent of the reinforcing ribs 154 is inch; the divider 250 has an overall height of 4% inch, the bulb folds 252 and 253 have a depth of 7 inch and the vertical extent of each of the reinforcing ribs 254 is inch each. As has been explained above, the mounting members and 270 are preferably formed of high impact polystyrene resin, and more specifically are molded from such a resin. In a typical constructional example of the mounting member 170, the vertical extent thereof is 2% inch, the lateral extent of the outer surface 174 'is /2 inch, the distance from the surface 174 to the inner edge is inch, the width of the groove 173 at the narrowest point is inch and the depth of the groove 173 is 7 inch; the vertical extent of the fingers 175 and 176 is inch and the length thereof is A inch, the greatest dimension of the tapered fingers being inch and the smallest dimension at the outer end thereof being 5 inch. In a typical constructional example of the mounting member 270, the vertical extent thereof is 4% inches, the lateral extent of the outer surface 274 is /2 inch, the distance from the surface 274 to the inner edge is inch, the width of the groove 273 at the narrowest point is & inch and the depth of the groove 273 is 7 inch; the vertical extent of the finger 275 is /8 inch and the finger 276 is /8 inch and the length of the fingers 275 and 276 is Ms inch, and inch respectively, the greatest dimension of the tapered fingers being inch and the smallest lateral dimension at the outer end thereof being %2 inch.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided drawer constructions and dividers therefor which fulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A drawer and divider construction comprising a drawer including a bottom wall and a pair of longitudinal inner side Walls extending upwardly from the side edges thereof and a front wall closing the area between said bottom wall and said inner side walls at the front end thereof and a rear wall closing the area being said bottom wall and said inner side walls at the rear end thereof, each of said inner side walls having a longitudinally extending row of slots therein with each slot in each row being in horizontal and lateral alignment with a slot in the other row, a generally imperfor-ate outer side wall on the outer surface of each of said inner side walls and secured thereto and extending substantially the fully length thereof, each of said outer side walls having a portion spaced outwardly from the adjacent inner side wall opposite said row of slots therein and providing a pocket extending outwardly therefrom, a vertically arranged divider mounted in said drawer and disposed generally laterally thereof and having portions disposed between said inner side walls, and a pair of mounting members disposed on the opposite ends of said divider for mounting said divider at any one of a plurality of adjusted positions with respect to said inner side walls, each of said mounting members including a generally rectangular body disposed vertically in said drawer and having a groove in one side thereof grippingly receiving the adjacent end of said divider therein and a finger on the other side thereof extending through one of said slots and into the pocket disposed outwardly with respect thereto to position said mounting member and the associated end of said divider with respect to the adjacent inner side wall, whereby said outer side walls defining said pockets serve to shield said fingers extending through said openings from interfering contact with the associated cabinet supporting said drawer.

2. The drawer and divider construction set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said inner walls has upper and lower longitudinally extending rows of slots therein with each slot in each row on each inner side wall being in horizontal and lateral alignment with the slot in a row on the other of said inner side walls, each of said outer side walls having a pair of generally imperforate portions spaced outwardly from the adjacent inner side wall respectively opposite said upper and lower rows of slots therein and providing corresponding pockets extending outwardly therefrom, and said second structure on each of said mounting members is a pair of fingers extending laterally therefrom and through slots in the upper and lower rows of slots in the adjacent inner side wall and into the pockets associated therewith, whereby said outer side walls defining said pockets serve to shield said fingers extending through said openings from interfering contact with the associated cabinet supporting said drawer.

3. The drawer and divider construction set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting members are formed of high impact polystyrene resin.

4. A mounting member for mounting a generally rectangular divider in a drawer having a pair of generally parallel inner side walls each provided with two longitudinally extending rows of slots therein with each slot in each row being in horizontal and lateral alignment with a slot in the other row, said mounting member comprising a body of high impact polystyrene resin rectangular in shape and arranged generally vertically in use within the associated drawer, said body having a longitudinally extending groove on one side thereof arranged vertically in use and grippingly receiving the adjacent end of the associated divider therein, and a pair of fingers on the other side of said body extending generally normal thereto for engagement respectively in a pair of vertically alined slots in the adjacent inner side wall to mount the associated divider in a predetermined position within the associated drawer.

5. The mounting member set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said fingers is pyramidal in shape and has a generally rectangular cross section.

'6. A drawer and divider construction comprising a drawer including a bottom wall and a pair of longitudinal inner side walls extending upwardly from the side edges thereof and a front wall closing the area between said bottom wall and said inner side walls at the front end thereof and a rear wall closing the area between said bottom wall and said inner side walls at the rear end thereof, each of said inner side walls having upper and lower longitudinally extending rows of slots therein with each slot in each row being in horizontal and lateral alignment with the slot in a row in the other of said inner side walls, a vertically arranged divider mounted in said drawer and disposed generally laterally thereof between said inner side walls, said divider being comprised of a generally rectangular piece of sheet metal having bulb folds on the longitudinally extending edges thereof and having a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs thereon extending the length thereof to provide reinforcement therefor, and a pair of mounting members disposed on the opposite ends of said divider for mounting said divider at any one of a plurality of adjusted positions with respect to said inner side walls, each of said mounting members including a generally rectangular body formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin arranged generally vertically in said drawer, the vertical extent of said body being substantially equal to the lateral extent of said divider, said body having a longitudinally extending groove in one side thereof arranged vertically in said drawer for releasably receiving the adjacent end of said divider therein, the Width of said groove being only slightly less than the distance between the rear surface of the divider and the forwardmost surface of said reinforcing ribs, and a pair of fingers on the opposite side of said body extending laterally therefrom and respectively into an upper and lower pair of vertically aligned slots in the adjacent inner side wall so as to position said divider in said drawer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,114,042 9/1940 Burdick 220-20 1,677,544 7/1928 Brainard 22022 X 1,849,024 3/1932 McKee 220 22 X 2,626,725 1/1953 Stevenson 217-22 X 3,016,148 1/1962 Riddle 211-184 X GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,450,296 June 17 l969 Kenneth D. Schreyer It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 17 "an" should read and should read like Column 8, line 40, "roller" Column 9, line 23, "fully" should read full Column 10, line 12, alined" should read aligned line 57, "2,114,042" should read Column 7 line 26, "lke" Signed and sealed this 14th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, 1R.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer should read rolled 

